Automatic gun.



G. HAMMOND. AUTOMATIO' GUN.

APPLICATION mmnLJu-mw; 190a.

' Patnted Apr. 12,1910. w

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G; HAMMOND.

AUTOMATIC GUN.

v APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1909.

Patented Apr. 12, 1910.

6 SHEETS SHEET 2.

anwntoz G. HAMMOND. AUTOMA'iIO arm. APPLIOATIQH FILED JUNE 12, 1909.

Patented Apr. 12,1910! 7 7 I 7 314mm 7 ,6 SHEETS-$111711! 3.

G. EAMMOND.

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G. HAMMOND.

AUTOMATIC GUN. APPLICATION ZILBD JUNE 1-2, 1909.

Patented Apr". 12, 1910.

Maxims-SHEET 5 Snuentoz l/ I M G. HAMMOND. AUTOMATIC GUN.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1909.

954,799, Y Patented Apr.12,1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

- 2 is an enlarged view of GRANT HAMMOND. OF HARTFORD. CONNECTICUT.

AUTOMATIC GUN.

Specification of Letter P n Patented Apr. 12, 1910.

Application filed Jane 12. 1909. Serial No. 501.835.

1 To all whom it may concern:

to it known that I. GRANT IIAVM'OND, a

citizen of the United States. residing at Ilartt'ord. in the county ofHartford and State of Connecticut. have invented certain new and useful.Improvements in Automatic Guns. of which the following is a speitieation.

ivly invention relates to fire-arms and partieularly to an attachment tothe. Springfield rifle or other rifles of like type now in use; in otherwords. the present invention comprehends and includes a mechanism whichis capable of being attached to the guns now in use. as well as to othertypes of guns hereinafter eonstrueted and which mechanism designed tomake such guns automatic in aetiou and to eonvert' the ordinary magazinegnu into an automatic gun wherein the power required for rotating andrecipro eating the breeeh-bolt. and retracting the tiring-bolt againstthe tension of its main spring, is derived from the expansive force ofthe gases of an exploded charge forcing a sl-idable mechanism forwardlyand storing power in a sprin or springs, sufiicient to turn andreciprocate the breech-bolt.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of simplecharacter which is capable of attachment to existing types of magazineguns and which may be applied thereto at-slight expense and with but.little alteration of such guns, whereby the gun may be converted into anautomatic gun. when desired.

A further object ofthe invention is'to provide means'whe-reby theautomatic at taeluneut may be instantly thrown into or out of connectionwith the gun-action to speedily convert the gun from a single-firer toautomatic, and vice-versa, and to semiautomatic. V

\Vith the above and other objects in' view,

my invention consists .of the parts and the constructions,-ar-rangements and combinations of parts which I will hereinafterdescribe. and claim. v

In the accompanying drawings fornnng a part of this specification and inwhicli,sin'1ilar reference characters indicate like parts in the severalviews; Figure 1 is a side. elevation of a gun embodyin my invention.Fig. the gun mechanism removed from the stoclc Fig. 3 is a top plan viewof Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the slidable casing 15 and ofthe .sleeve id'showing the. power and buffer springs and other featuresin elevation. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View on the line 5-5 of Fig.4. Fig'G is a sectional view of the sliding casing 15 and part of theoperating I rod 30. showing the rod in its latched posi- 5 tion. Fig. i'is a detail showing in bottom plan thecam 35. Fig. 8 is a part sectional..view.and part elevation of the operating rod .21 and its adjuncts.Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing a portion of the slidable l casing 15and its front sleeve, and showing also the gas chamber'and parts of thegun barrel and connections. Fig. 10 is an end view of the block 20. Fig.11 is an end view of the rod 21. Fig. 12 is an enlarged side elevationshowing the rear portion of the gun meehanism in position in thereceiver, the stock being removed. Fig. 13 is a side view of the rearend of the receiver showing the wing-cam and cut-out. Fig. 14 is adetail showing the piece 43 in section and in engagement with thecoupling bolt. Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the trigger mechanism..Fig. 16 is a side elevation partially in section of the gun mechanismshowing the bolt resents details of the bhlt stop. Figs. 19 and 20' aredetails hereinafter referred to. Fig. 21 is a side elevation of thebreech-bolt. and the parts carried thereby. Fig. 22 is a plan viewofFig. 21. Fig. 23 is a bottom plan View showing the plate 50 andpart ofthe operating rod. Fig. 24 is atop plan view of the same. Fig. 25 is aside elevation of the receiver. Fig. 26 is a cross section of thereceiver 011 the line 26-26 of Fig. 25. Fig. 27 is a side elevation ofthe receiver of slightly modified form. Fig. 28 is a plan view of theblock tional view through the receiver and breechment, with the rod 30.Fig. 30 is a side elevation of the gun removed from the stock showingthe position of the'parts when the bolt is retracted.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated my invention asattached to the well known Springfield rifle, or U. S. service gun, butit will be understood that the invention is not restricted to this typeof guns; that the showing is merely for illustrative retracted. Fig. 17is a cross sectional View. on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16. Fig. 18 reppurposes, and that the attachment can be Fig. 29 is a cross sec- 7 bolt,showing the coupling bolt in engage- Ii U applied to any nagazine orother gun with i on the latter. The h s but a slight modification in theciaetruetion oil th same.

The gun herein hown being well known both as to its construction do notillustrate its; internal arrazurtanent inh'iutietv nor will, cl. attemptto dwcribe its action in detail, but I will only fully show and describethoac'aalicnt parts; of the same with which my attachment is most inti-Inatelgi connected and which may require some change; to adapt theattachn'ient thereto.

The gun will, of course, include a suitable stot'li, A. barrel ii.breecirbolt', C, extractor, l triggeranechanism, 'l, and the usualadjuncta ot" a gun of this type, and all of which. except ashereii'iatter noted, will he oi. the construction usually found in suchguns, and the dtrtaiis of which need not he spmgtiiieally described andshown; but the real invention, namely the attachment its 1 will be doserihet'i in more or it detail that its construotion, operation and advintages may be tuil v understotal. lfhe breerh-l'mlt, U. is siidablpmounted in the rec iver, E, and at its forward end it provided with thelugs 01 which alidahly lit: the lon itudinal grooves 'b, which areusually formed along the inner aides of the receiver to accurately guidethe laeech-holt. in to; sliding veinent after said bolt has beenpartially tllliletl--fitl to unlock it, i 'l grooves, Z eonmaeting attheir tiarward end with the uaual transverse or earn-grooves r.tu-iiiilt'l the Flltlilltitlb; oi which the lugs. to engage when Saidlug are brought into leiggistcr with the eaui'grmivw and the bolt isturnerti about its aria. as .l will lnaeinaflea de *ribe. Thebreeelrhoit. also has the ussual cam log (I arranged at right .inglcs tothe lugs a, and adapted to en gage the wall '6 at the back end of thecutawav portion of the receiver. The rear end of t 1e receiver has acircular pening 1" to admit. the ln'cech-bolt, from which openingradiates .the groove or channel to receive the lug; (I, on the centralportion of the lu'eceh-holt. Within the breech-bolt is slidably mountedthe firing bolt, F. having the usual projectlng lug on its bottom side})I()jt1t'ifl through a bottom slot in t'he llttfQCll-lJt') t cap I, andoperating; in a Suitable guide j in the tail-extension ot the receiver.The ln'eeeh-bolt has the spiral groove t, and cocking cam 103, and thetiring bolt has the naual melting head m, and such other parts as willbe usuiall) found in a gun of the type showmbutwhich parts are not of mypresent invention.

My automatic attachment is tilted to the barrel, ll. of the gun bysuitable means as by a tight-fitting sleeve 10. which is formed rigidwith a bottom lug, 11. This lug is bored horizontally at 2 wherehytheaxis of said bore will be pa write] with that of the gun barrel when thesleeve, 10, in position and operation. I i

compression when and sleeve are also t. which i bored from the sleevethrough the upper and until il iutrru'cts the pierced by lmle upper ideof the portion ot the lug bore. .-aid hole. A I ler with a eorrepo1uling gas'port', -t-. made through the underside of the barrel andleading into the bore of the latt r. the fJtlS- port in the barrel andthe hole in the lug being of such area as to provide for a rapid exhaustor the gaaea of a previoa xploded charge after the bullet propelled Irvsaid charge has passed the muzzle of the barrel, a i will hereinafterdeacribe.

Mounted in the lug ii. is a valve 12 which is shown as of theturning-piug type, said valve having a port in it adapted to regiaterwith the 5 'a--porl. l. and the port. 3, leading into a gas-chamla-rhereinafter mentioned. The valve has a uilable stem provided with ahandle which lies on the outside of the stock; the cs ential object otthe valve is to enable the gases of the exploded charge to lathrottled.and to he admitted to the said gas-chamber in such proportion 'or amountas the firing condition of the gun makes desirable. Thus the valve maybe turned to open the gaa-pavsage to its t ull capacity or to open thepasaage'ouly partially; the valve may also be turned to close the "aspassage r a entirely. as when the automatic attachment is not in actionand the gun is being used as a hani'i-operatedgun. into the bored andtapped lug, ii, is screwed the rear end ol a gas tube, 3, projects asuitable distance forward of the lug and which tube iurrloses a chamberinto which the g1: of an exploded charge will rust: (the valve, 12,being then open) under gas-port in the barrel and communication isestablished between the bore of the barrel and the gas-ehamher of saidtube. 'l'he gz-rsdube. lit. is by preference. made of nou-rustahle steelthe t'rout end to form relatively thin walls which are expored t'o',ItlS-Pl't'filll't' and are designed to be expanded thereby against thewalls; ot an ii1('l(l 'ii|g sleeve. 1-]. to town a gas-tight joint andprevent leakage ot gas 1.15

at. t'lllS point. and to form a scraper for any deposit on the wailsot'the Sleeve, 11-. and

which latter sleeve has a (toke sliding lit;

with thointerior gas-tube. l

Thorear end and is screwed into the downwardly extending lug, ll, of thebarrel sleeve, '10, as shown in Fig. 9. The rear end of the sleeve. It.

is also threaded and is designed to a row into thosimilariy threadedfront end (if-'a 1 5 tubular casing, 15. in 'which is placed the powerspring, 16, the chamber of this easing being slightly enlarged at therear end to receive the bufl'er-spring' ll,the chamber of the casing atthis point being .sutiieientty 133 which the bullet uncovers the and maybe bored out at of the tube llhis thrmided large to permit the buffer(by which term I will hereinafter designate this part) and a casing,,18, carried thereby, to be freely slipped into the chamber 'from'therear. The buffer casing, 18, has a solid front end through which a holeis bored. the hole being of sufficient diameter to slide 'freely overthe front end of the flanged sleeve, 19, which compresses the buffer,and th'e opera tion of which sleeve I will hereinafter describe.

A threaded plug, 20, screws into the rear end of the casing, 15, andforms a seat or abutment for the rear end of the buffer. Arrangedaxially in the casing is a rod, 21, the rear end of which 'slidably fitsan opening in the plug. 20, said rod extending substantially the fulllength of the casing and having a shoulder formed on it at by turningdown the rear portion of the rod' The power spring, 16, surrounds therod, 21, and the reduced end of the rod has a sliding fit through thesleeve, 19, (Fig. 8) which is formed with a centrally located collar,23, adapted to seat against the inside of the closed front end of thebuffer-casing, 18; the sleeve thus has one portion projecting in frontof the buffer-casing, and another andi rea'r portion inclosed by thiscaslng, the

front end of the buffer entering the space between the sleeve and casingand bearing against the collar, 23, ofthe sleeve and which collar thusserves as an abut-merit for the buffer. The rod, 21, also has a collaror flange, 24-, a short" distance back of its front end adapted to seatsubstantially against the rear face of the lug, 1-1, on the bottom ofthebarrel sleeve, said collar or flange thereby servlng as a stop for thefront end of the ower spring, 16. j

As shown in Fig. 8v the rod, 21, is turned down at an intermediateportion to form the shoulder, 20, which serves as a stop against whichthe front end of the sleeve, 19, strike-s when the gun is fired and thecasing, 15, is pulled forwardly, by the expansion of the gases of theexploded charge, said shoulder serving as a stop for limiting theforward movement of the casing and determining the extent of compresslonof the power sprin 16, and also the compression of the' heavie buffer,17, and which compression 1s effected by the continued forwardI-mwem'ent of the casing, 15, while the buffer casing sleeve, 19, is.being held stationary against the stop or shoulder 20 of the rod, 21,before described.- i

The rod, 21, projects beyond the rear face ofthe plug, 20, and isscrewed or otherwise fixed to the front end of a piece, 25, having atransverse groove or channel to receive a like lug, 102; formed on theuhder side of the forward end of the receiver,'E, ofthe gun, andwhich'receiver maybe of the usual'construction. The forshell.

Ward end of the piece. 25, is shown as having a threaded opening toreceive the rear threaded end of the rod. 21.'whilc the front end ofsaid piece, 2!, has a squarefaced shoulder, 25, which seats closelyagainst the screw plug, 20. of the sliding casing. 15. The piece. alsohas a driven pin. 27, which projects slightly past the shoulder, 25 andis adapted to engage in a corresponding recess or slot 27 cut in therear face of the screw plug 20. to thereby form a locking connectionwhich is useful in unscrewing the plug from the rear end of the casing,15.

By reference to Figs. 2, 3, 12, 16 and 30 it will be seen that thepiece, 25, has fixedly secured to it a rearwardly extending piece, 28,of tubular form and which liesalongside of the receiver and forms acasing over the longitudinal groove or channel, 29, the operating rod,30, passing through theca'sing, 28,

. and being slidably guided in the same and in the aforesaid grooveorchannel, 29, said casing being enlarged or thickened at its rear end, toform a bearing and guide for the coupling pin 1', vertically disposedand provided with a round stem 8, having a head by which it may bemanipulated. The upper projecting portion of this pin also serves as astop for the ejected shells, which are thrown out of the receiver withsuch force as to be liable to seriously. injure a bystander if the pin,or an equivalent part was not interposed to stop the momentum of the InFig. 27, the coupling pin r, is carried by a bracket which is screwed orotherwise fixed to the receiver. At the front under side of the receiveris formed a transverse lug 102 which is designed to engage acorresponding groove in the upper surface of the rear end of the endblock, 25, which block is rigid with the square-face head 25- and hasthe pin 27 to engage the screw-plug 20. The block, 25, also has atubular guide 10 for the operating rod 30. Also, as shown in Fig. 12,the piece, 25, is further held in position by the forward end of theusual-triggerguard plate, F", having a post. F. through. which thescrew, 24, passes to thereby secure the magazine, G, of the gun to thereceiver; this magazine and trigger-guard plate may be of the formusually found in-guns of the character shown and previously mentioned,and they form no part of my present in vention.

- To the slidab'le casing, 15, forward of the rear end thereof, isscrewed or otherwise secured the sleeve portion of a bracket or arm,'32", said bracket. or arm being arranged diagonal to the casing andbeing bifurcated or forked to admit a longitudinally disposedlatch-lever, 33, the front end of which is pivotally mounted on the pin,34, while the rear end extends-beyond the bracket and hasa beveled rearextremity adapted to be' eni tact with thewalls 60,

gagl'ed hr :1 lug. 15. arranged in its path and se ured to the unylerside of the gun liarrel. 'l lu' latch or lower also has a shoulder ornotch. 15. on an intermediate part adapted lo engage the front end ofthe operating rod,

guided. said rod lying parallel with the har rel and the slnlahlecasing, 15, and eonta1nlay; the spiral pring, 31.

Fitted into the rear end of the rod, 30, is a solid rod, 32, winchextends far enough thcreinto to receive a. couple of rivets. The

driving rod, 30, is hollow and is slotted at its rear end sulliciontlyto permit; the breechholt to make its full stroke, the aforesaid slotheing formed in the under side of the rod. inside of the rod, ill), thereturn spring 31 operates, the rear end of the spring contacting with asmall bifurcated piece, l3, throu h which the coupling pin. 1', slips. ii-out end'ot the 'rod, 30, has a. solid plug. 39, which is pinned inplace.

Slightly forward of the front end of the driving rod, 30, a lighttight-fitting sleeve sltl is pinned to the barrel, the bottom of saidsleeve projecting downwardly and having a dovc-tailed slot milled in itsface and into which slot fits a lug, ll, of corresponding width andshape carrying a sleeve, 42, whose front end is bored out to permit; ofthe forward end of the casing, 15, reciprocating through it, said sleevehaving its rear end bored to a larger diameter; and at a diagonal pointfrom its center the'sleeve is slotted to allow the enlarged rear end ofthe casing, 15, and the sleeve of the bracket or arm 32 to pass into it,guide for the casing. 15. in the first; part of its operation inunlocking the breech-colt. I also place within the rear end of thehollow rod forward of the frontcnd of the solid rod, 32, a shortcylindrical piece, 43., of about the interior diametirr of the rod, 30,and the spring, 31. suitably seats. The rear end of the piece, 43, isslotted to form two parallel forks (Fig. 14-), the slot of the fork lying inregistw with a slot; formed in the underside of the rod, 30, andthe short; piece, 43, being revented from turning in the bore of the reby means of a screw or pin. 44, the head of which is substantially flushwith the outside of thcrod, 30, and the sides of the head liningsubstantially in sliding con of the slot; in the rod. The lower end ofthe aforesaid con lingpin, 1'. is ollsctiand carries an upward vextending stem 8, which is arranged. parallel with the pin and is spacedtherefrom a suitahl distance, said pin being normally in register withthe longitudinal slot in the bottom thereby 'forming a' against thesolid forward end of which slidaloly engages gles so as to make the ofthe operating rod, 30, and the slot; in the rear end of the icce, 43,against the front; end of which t 0 spring, 31, constantly hears, saidpiece, 43, having the front wall of its slot; provided "with aant-projection, 45, lrig. 14;) and said couplin pin 1*,- having acani-surface, 46, to engage t and a notch, 47, to receive the same, whenthe stem, 8, is pulled upward to cause the pin r thereof to slidablenter the slot made through the rear one of the cylindrical piece, -13,whereby the partsar'e held firmly in contact by the One side of the rearend of the receiver is formed with a slot, 48, which. extends throughthe rear end of said receiver, and in the inner wall of this portion ofthe receiver being formed with a groove or channel. l in which isslidahly mounted a piece,

ceivethe solid rod, 3;. which projects from the rear of the operatinghollow rod, 30, and is pinned to the latter to make it substan tially arigid part of the operating rod. The enlarged portion of the piece, 50,has an inwardly extending flange, 52, which under a shoulder extendinglongitudinally along the side of'the tail extension of the receiver. Theinner face of the trapezoidal piece, 50, is milled to conform to theouter surface of the hreeclrbolt, C, and said face is provided with aninwardly projecting stud, 50, which engages and operates in the spiralgroove, Zc, cut in the outer surface of the rear end of thebreecl1-holt, and is designed to engage behind a 5 acre shoulderportion, 54, of said groove. reference to Fig. 22, it; Wlll be seenthatt 1e groove, is not of uniform width, but the side wallsnre ofunequal anupper end-of'the cave of slightly greater width than theowerend, the width of said groove gradually increasing toward said upperend, for purposes which, and of the will hereinafter state.

The operating lever or handle, 55, for the and the point; of theinclined rear end of the tr ipezoidal plate, 50, lies normally about1/16 inch in advance of the under part; of the lever or handle, 55, andforms the entering oint of a wedge 01 inclined plane and is a, aptcd toimpart .to the lever or handle a powerful initial lifb lug, movement inunlocking the brcecl1-b0lt.

.It; will 'be seen from Flgs. ,12, 22 and 23, that the rear end of thestrongly pinned to it. a. piece, 56, which extends under and projectsdiagonally toward the axis of the firing-bolt, F..which is of the eprojection, 45,

pressure of the spring, 31;-

shoulder, 54, 1--

solid rod, 32, has

bree ch boltis rigid therewith, as usual in I the type of gun shown,

construction usually found in the type of gun illustrated, said piece,56, having a segmental outer end. 57, which substantially incloses abouttwo-thirds of circumference 62. seated in its upper rear face where itcontacts with the under side of the tail strap, 63, of the receiver; theforward end of the sear-bar also carries a. spring, 64,

which is designed to contact with the under side of the receiver, thesear-bar beingrecessed to receive this spring. As the searbar is pivotedto the receiver rearward of the spring, 64, it is manifest that thesearbar is forced up in the usual manner to cause its sear, 65, tocontact with and engage the usual lug, 72, on the under side of thefiringholt and thereby hold the piece in cocked position ready forfiring. In the underside of the sear-bar is bored a longitudinal hol 37,into which fitted a spiral spring, (08, adapted to operate against theinner ,nd of a pin, 69, slidably mounted in the hole, (37, to therebynormally force the pin rearwardly, until the end wall of a slot, 70, inthe pin contacts with a pin or stop, 71, and thereby limitsthe rearwardmovement. The trigger is pivoted to the tail strap of the rcceivcr, andwhen it is pulled rearwardly to lower the sear, (35, and release thefiringholt. a projection, T2, on the front of the trigger presses downin a notch formed in the upper rear angle of the spring-pressed pin,(39, and thereby rocks the sear-bar about its pivot. T3, tocausc thesear at the rear end of the sear-bar to release the cocked firing-bolt.Simultaneously with the release of the sear. the projection, 72, ridesout of contact with the spring-pressed pin, 69, when the spring 6% atthe front of the searbar operates to return this bar and its soar tonormal position, to again intercept the lug on the tiring-bolt on thereturn of the bolt and colnplenientary mechanism to locked position.lVhe'n the trigger is released by the finger of the operator, it isforced forward by its own spring, 32, and its front projection. engagesand pushes in the springpressed pin, 69, until the projection. 72,escapes by the rear end of the same and enters the notch thereon, whenthe trigger is again in position to be pulled backward to fire the gun.

. of that portion of the firing-bolt just in ad- In order that thebreech-bolt may be held open after the last cartridge has been firedfrom the magazine, I employ a bolt-stop which is herein shown as beingnrthe form of a lever, 80, pivoted to the receiver and having an upperflanged portion, 81, which is designed to project into the path ofmovement of the breech-bolt when the latter is retracted, or open, tothereby prevent the return or forward movement of the said bolt. Thelong arm of the lever or -,bolt stop extends down along side the rearwall of the magazine, G, and the free end of said long-arm is adapted tobe engaged by a t'ansversely slidable releasing pin, 82, mounted in thegun-stool: and projecting from the gun. beyond the outer side thereof.The bolt-stop is raised into the path of the front end ofthe'breech-bol't so as to engage the same, by a pin or lug, 83, which islined to and projects slightly beyond the rear end of thespring-supported magazine floor, said pin or. lug sliding in a verticalgroove 'or channel, 84, in the rear wall of the magazine. ll'hen thefinal cartridge has been 'i'ir cd from the magazine the projecting pinon the floor of the magazine, rides under the arm of the bolt-stopthereby rocking the lever, St), about its pivot. 85, and causing theupper llanged end of the stop to be pro- 9 jccted far enough to afford astop for the front end of the breech-bolt whereby the bolt remains inits most rearward position and with the magazine wide open for thereception of a new clip of cartridges, and the magazine lioor is free tobe depressed to receive the same. The long arm of the bolt-stop or leveris, as before mentioned. designed to be engaged by the spring-pressedpin, 89, which is held in position by a thin casing. ri l. which tightlyhis a hole bored through the left side of the gun stock; when themagazine floor raises the bolt-stop into its cllectivc position, thelong arm of the stop engages and forces the spring-pressed pin outwardlyuntil its outer end is projected beyond the outside of the stock; when Ia clip of cartridges is placed in the now empty magazine, the pinpressed inward by the thumb of the left hand thereby rocking thebolt-stop about its pivot and retracting its upper end out of the planeof movement of the breech-bolt, and allowing the bolt to eject the clip,and place a cartridge in the brew-h of the gun. thereby leaving thepiecc ready to be lircd by pulling the trigger. Except when thebreech-bolt is held open. the spring-pressed pin, 82, is always llushwith the side of the stock.

()n the rear end of the receiver l pivolally mount a lever, 87, one. endof which has a. cam-shaped wing, 88. adapted to bear against a flat orshouhlcrcd portion, of the base of the lever, 55, to impart to said.lover a slight initial movement during the first turning portion of theclosing operal at its front end and whiz-h lies in a lot. ent

tion of the bolt after said bolt has been moved forward by thebefore-mentioned closing spring. The wing-cam, S8, is thus designed tomove the lever, 55. to cause the breech-bolt to turn on its axis untilthe inwardly projecting pin, 50. on the trapezoidal-plate, 50. whichoperates in the cam- ;gr'oove. A, in the breech-bolt, is moved out frombehind the square-shoulder, t, at; the bottom of said groove and intoregister with the main part of groove, thereb v allowing the pin. .70,to ride in contact with the (am-wall of the groove and complete theretation of and lock thebreeeh-boltin its clo ed position.

The lever which carries the. wine-cam, 88,

is pivotall v mounted on the Small rod, 90,

' arranged on theleft-hand side of the receiver and which rod alsocarries the out-out, L, which is eonnnon to this type of guns and theoperation of which is well known. A hole is also bored through the leftside of the stock into which is forced the thimble, til. and into thisthimble is tilted a spring- PI'GSSQLl pin. 9!, the inner end of \Yliltllrestt under the lower end of the lever, ST. which.

carries the wing-cam. 8S. and by holding; this end of the leverwhile theoperating hand lever. 55. is beiu moved against the wing-cam inunloeking the breech-bolt. thereby tort-rs thewing ram outward andplaces the lever. 87, under sulhrient tension to enable it to give the.hand lever the slight initial closing movement above alluded to, andwhich movement is sutlieient to move the pin. 50, from it lookedengagement behind the square-faced shoulder, 54, at the bottom of the(am groove l. in the breeehbolt. f j

The general operation of the gun is as t'olhnvs: \Vhen the trigger-,UO,is pulled back the sear, 115, is depressed releasing the tiring-bolt,\Vllltll strikes the p1iiiiei;.:nnl ignites the powder eharge startingthe bullet along the bore. v\Yhen the bullet has passed the port. l. thegases rush through the gastllilllll)tl' oi the tube. 1 1. until the haverearhed its l'orward end, the) then exert pressure upon the sleeve. ll.which incases the gas-tube and whirh is'.-: -re\ved to the main easing.l5. loreing it forward until it is stopped b) the eontatt ()'lf tlltfront end ol the eollared bushing. with the smiare-"l'aeed shoulder,formed upon the iringaetainiue' rod. 21. by turning down its rear end toa diameter somewhat maller than the trout end. and over \\'lll('ll thecol-' lared sleeve. [5 *l'reel v slides, and the contact of its rear end\\ltl\ the taco oi the serew plug, 2!). which fits into the rear end.

ol' the main easing. 15. whieh ineloses the power spring. 1(3. andbutter. 17. \Vhen the aetion as stated has taken place, the springpressed latch, 33, which is pivoted loim'itudinallv l'li14llll the olidpart of the driving-rod leeve. i. the collar. 32''. being threadedinternally, and which screws over corresponding thread cut open the maincasing. 15. at a po ition approximately three and onehal't' inches: fromits rear end. in position to snap up bringing the squarefacedFllOttldtl'. 313. which is formedon the latch in a })():-ll'l(')l] toeontaet with the front end of the driving-rod. 30. The latch is; held inthis position until the bullet and gases have left the barrel. onaccount of the driving-rod sleeve. 37. being made fast to the. maineasing by its threaded collar, and the main easing being held in itsmost forward position by the pressure of the gases in the gas-tube. 1E).and the tube being threaded to the main casing. The bullet and gaseshaving now esraped the power spring.

16. and butter. 1?. which are at their maximum tension deliver theirstored energy to the driving-rod. it). by means of the shoulder, I'll onthe spring pressed latch, 33, contarting with the square end of thedrivingrod. The butter. 1?. delivers it p wer for "about iT/S int-hol.the baekward stroke of "the main sleeve. 1 until its trout end hislet't the shoulder formed on the spring1'etainiir; rod. lllt lliillilpower spring" .arting in unison. .\l' tei tlie butler has done its workthe main power spring. to. eontinues on with its pressure until at. thelast oneeighth llltli of its stroke the Spring pressed.

latrh. 3 is depressed by its. rear ram end ('Uilllllfl in eontart with aram. I15. whieh i held in position hr the front band of the ig'hlsleeve. or whirl: inaiwbeheld in position in any suit-able manner. Thedepressing" olflthe l'.-itehtak( s nlare at about one halt ineh t'roznthe end of the eomplete stroke of the drivinga'ol. Fit): the momentum ofthe dri\in; -'-rod and ln 'eerh-bolt carry the bolt to the end l itsstroke. The reason for not delivering power 'to the driving-rod andl)l'('t(ll-l)t)ll to the end of the strokeot'the bolt will hereinafterbe stated.

Into the front end of the rod, this preferabl serewed the short hollowrod, 2- having:' the large t-ollar or flange. 2i. \vhieh acts as a stoptor the main power spring: the short front end of the small flanged rod.it. tits into a hole bored in the rear of the barrel sleeve lug. 1'l,tohold it rigid and iarallel \\'-ith the bore of the ig'un' the rearend fthe rodJil. tln'eaded'and serews into the retaining bloek whu-h tits verthe lug, 10;". wlueh IS on the front of the rereiver. and whieh isplaeed there to keep the action from l-:i -king out of the stock. Thelug s part of the Springfield rifle and has nothing to do with myinvention-as I might ta teu the l)l()t'l\' on in anvother desirablemanner. mill the receiver lug, F (Fig. for the In tilting on the block Ipost F down to about one-half of its original height and make the block,25, of sutiicient thickness to form a rigid fastening for thespi'ingretaining rod, 21. also that its rear face may form a stop tokeep the action from kicking out of the stock. The reason for fasteningto the receiver is to retain the accuracy of the gun. otherwise I couldtake the shock of stopping the main casing and adjuncts against theprojecting lug. '11, of the barrel sleeve into the front face of whichthe gas-tul'ie is screwed.

'lhe llanged sleeve, 19, which compresses the butler spring. 17. is madeof sutlieient length that when the butter is compressed by the flangedsleeve: 1'. in the last 7 ,8 inch of its stroke. both ends of theflanged sleeve are in contact. one end, the front end. contacting withthe shoulder. '30. of the spring-ietaining rod. 2 and the other with thefr nt fa e of the threaded plug, 20. which scr s in the rear end of themain casing.

The main power spring has its rear end in c ntact with the front orsolid end of the butter casing. 18. The buffer spring, being ofconsiderably greater power than the main power spring it forces itscasing. 18, forward again t the tension of the main power spring untilin the forward movement of the main casing and adjuncts the tension ofthe main power spring becomes high enough to force the butter casingback until its rear end r sts against the front face of the threadedplug, '20. which screws in the main casing, 15. The butter casing nowacts to compress the main power spring between its front face and theflange, 24. at the end of the power spring-retaining rod, 21, the butlerspring casing now resting against the front face of the square threadedplu 20, which screws into the rear of the main casing: the buffer springis in operation until the casing. 15. and adjuncts have moved forward toapproximately inch of its entire for 'ard stroke. At this posi ion thefront end of the tlanged sleeve. 19. contacts with the faced shoulder,'20, of the power springretaining rod, 21, and the continuation of theforward movement of the casing and adjuncts due to the pressure of thegases in the tube. 13, which is screwed into the front end of the maincasing, causes the butter spring to be compressed {g of an inch, ontoits final compression; at the same time, and in unison. the main powerspring is compressed to its. linal compression between the flange, 24,at, the end of the retaining rod, 21, and the front face of the bufferspring casing, 18.

The driving-rod, 30, is coupled to the breech-bolt by the diagonal arm,56, which pa rtiali surrounds the end of the firing-bolt 1* just infront and resting against the head of the tiring-bolt; the body of thefiring-bolt being flattened slightly to permit of the rod, 30, beingreadily uncoupled from the firingbolt when the said bolt is removed fromthe receiver.

In the periphery of the breech-bolt C is milled the spiral slot 7c, thelower wall of which, its rear end, is milled ofi at right angles to theaxis of the bolt to form the square shoulder, 54, against which the inwardly projecting pin, 50, which is fastened to the trapezoidal shapedpiece, 50, which is fastened to the driving-rod and lies normally in theright-hand longitudinal slot in the receiver. rests when the bolt isclosed. The rear end of the trapezoidal shaped piece, 50, or cam endrests normally a short distance from the front bottom face of the boltlever. 5 5, and the rear face of the diagonal arm, .36, which partiallysurrounds the body of the firing-bolt rests against the front face ofthe tiring-bolt. cocking head m. The driving-rod, 30. is held in itsmost forward position by the coupling pin 7', which passes through thelarge end' of the drivingrod casing, which lies along the side of thereceiver and, attached at; its front end to the block at the front ofthe receiver, being pulled up through the. bifurcated piece, 43, again twhich the driving-rod spring, 31, presses. The spring thus pr ssingagainst the coupling pin at its end and the solid head at its front endholds the rod rigidly forward.

The reason that power is not applied for the full stroke of the bolt isbecause the cutout leaf L on the left side of the receiver, when turneddown, stops the breech-bolt short of its final stroke so that thebolt-head cannot be pulled back far enough to feed in :artridges; inthis position it is single-tire with magazine in reserve. It is readilyseen that he'latch, 33, by which power is-applied to the driving-rodcould not, be depressed for both positions of the bolt as it would beimpossible to shift the position of the cam, 35, which is held inposition by the front band of the sightsleeve. and which depresses thelatch so thatv the drivipg-rod a fter .it has completed its stroke canreturn to its forward position.

The mechanical arrangement of the buffer spring auditsadjuncts, theflanged sleeve, 19, and casing, 18, is designed to ive a powerfulinitiatory movementv in unlocking the breech-bolt and starting the emptycartridge from its seat in the breech of the gun after firin After thishas taken place not much power is needed; an excess is posi tivelydisastrous, and the very object of my invention is destroyed, as thebolt stop, 80, and usual safety locking leveir, 100*, and bolt cap 2',are soon crystallized and broken by the shock of stopping under highspeed,

and it would be necessary to redesign and make new guns, whereas withthe mechanical arrangement as above stated inent successfully changesthe guns now made and in use. i

After the energy has been stored and the latch, 33, which contacts withthe front end of the driving-rod has snapped to position and the bulletand gases have left the bore.

is hereinbefore mentioned, the main casing. 15, and adjuncts beginmoving backm attachward transferring the stored energy to the Idriving-rod, The first 1/16 inch morement of the rod, 30, is directedagainst the head of the firing-bolt to start it. cocking before therotary motion of the bl'ttChdHJll' 5 is taking place. thus keeping theengaging t lug. 7" of the tiring-bolt out of contact with r the i5cocking cam, 10 of the bolt. The trapezoidal cam, 50, now, after thedrivingrod has moved lf'lti inch, begins turning the breech-bolt uponits axis, the tiring-bolt with its engaging lug, f, being .t'drcedbackward and the turning of the breech-bolt being in unison it; isapparent that the cocking cam, 1023, ol the breech-bolt and the'engaginglug, f, oi the tiring-bolt do not. contact at all (hiring theunlockingot' the bolt. If. the engaging lug, f", of the firing-boltdidnot start in advance of thecocking cam of the l)1't'(?(fll-l)0lt andthey were in' actual contact,

ment of the breech-bolt would have to force the tiring-bolt backwardagainst the tension of the usual iltftt'li-lnllt main spring, upa 4.3"cam, and It is essential that the normal position of the cam and lug bepreserved to enable them to pcrlform their functions when used as a handoperated gun. The breechbolt turns NJ as is usual with all military gunsto unlock. During the lirst 1-5 of rotar) lllt)\'t'li]\ll the lugs m ofthe bolt-turn on a level plane, the last 45 of turning the lugs l'l(.lt'up cams which are formed in the shoulders I ot' the n-ceivcr back ofwhich the lugs turn, being made to follow therams by a cam ofcorresponding pitch back of which some part of the bolt levergenerallyrides. The object of these cams is to get powerful leverage instarting the empty shell from the breech. \Vhen the bol. is turned tounlocked position,wbichhas taken about; 3/4 of an inch ot longitudinalmovement of the driving-rod, all of the great resistance is overcome,consequently not. so much power is now needed. The lmtl'cr-spring,17,'has now accomplished its primary work and it remains inoperativeuntil the main power spring. H3, has moved the driving-rod andbreech-bolt backward, and-the tension of the main power spring islmverml, whenjust'. bc-

pressing the main powersprin \Vhen the t bolt has reached its mostrearward position the empty shell in the meantime having been ejected,the driving-rod moves slightly and the inwardly projecting pin, 50 ofthe trapezoidal shaped piece, 50, restsagainstthe square shoulder, 5%,formed on the lower wall of the spiral slot in the breech-bolt as ismentioned hereinbefore. This movement allows the front end ofthelug,f,on the tiring bolt to restagainst the end of the breech-bolt. Thebreech-bolt now begins its return, being forced forward by the sprin I3t, contained in the driving-rod, 30. A new, shell is forced into thebreech by. the breechbolt, and the bolt turned to its locked positionready for tiring y again pulling the The wing-cam exerts its pressureagainst the base of the handle of the lever and forces it to the rightthus turning the breech-bolt until the st'piare. shoulder, 5 on thelower 'wall of the spiral cam A: of the bolt, has moved out ofconhmt-with the inwardly projecting pin, .30, of the trapezoidal shapedpiece, 50, thus allowing the pin to complete the closing of the bolt. c

llaving thus described my invention what; I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic gun having a reciprocating breeclnbolt, a receiver,ice-acting surl'accs between the bolt and receiver for rotating saidbolt,- amechanisnroperated l'orf wardly by the gases of the explodedcharge, said bolt being normally uncoupled from the gas operatedmechanism whereby it; is devoid oi gas pressure,ctunplementary meansintermediate of the bolt-mechanism and gasoperated mw-hanisun 'lorstoring the encrgy of the exploded charge, said means including a powerspring and a butter -ot'mne uni strength and a reciprmrating casingt inw'tch said. spring and butter are'contai'nadand means for coupling thebolt-mochanisnrwith the means for storing the power of said chargesubstantially coordimttcly with thi .exhaustol the gases and 'rermittiugthe of which aswing-pressed piece, 92, contacts;

its

ploded charge, a power spring within one lf-a i with a receiver and abreech-bolt, said reof the exploded bolt, of a casing slidably mount-edparallel with the bolt, a rod passing through the casating rod and an 7the breech-bolt,

the gas-operated means and actuated thereby portion of said casing, abuffer within another portion ofthe casing. said butler having greaterpower than said spring, a rod extending through both springs, and asleeve l surrounding a portion of said rod having a collar on itsintermediate portion, said rod ha ring a shoulder a gainstwhich theforward end of the sleeve con acts to thereln limit the forward movementof said sleeve, said spring and buffer adapted to store the energy ofsaid gases for subseq'nrnt use in turning and reciprocating thebreech-bolt, an operattaclnnent for fixing it to and an automaticallyen'- gageable and releasable latch and catch the slidable casing andwith't-he receiver and the breech-bolt, said receiver and bolt havingco-acting surfaces to permit the turning of the bolt,of a casingslidably mounted parallel with the bolt, a rod passing through thecasing, a gas-tube connected with'the forward end of the easing.val.vecontrolled means connecting the gas tube with the interior of thegun-barrel and controlling the amountof gas admitted to said tube, saidrod having a shoulder near its forward end and having a shoulder at anintermediate portion, a power spring inclosing the rod having its frontend to engage the on the rear portion of the rod having a shoulderbetween its ends, a casing surrounding said sleeve having a flangedfront end to engage said collar, a plug fitting into the rear end of theslidable casing, and a buffer on the rear end of the rod, the collar ofsaid sleeve and the said plug formingstops for opposite ends of thebuffer, and the intermediate shoulder of said rod forming a stop for thefront end of the sleeve to thereby limit the forward movement of thesleeve. I

6. In an automatic attachment for a gun, the combination with a slidablymounted casing, mounted on the gun parallel with mechanism between saidoperating rod.

3.-In an automatic gun, the combination cciver and bolt having coactingsurfaces to permit the turning of the bolt, means normally disconnectedfrom the breech-bolt and operatedfn a forward direction by the gasescharge, a motor actuated by said forward operating means and storing theenergy'of the gases, said motor comprising apower-spring, a rodextending through thc'same and having a shoulder on an intermediateportion, a. sleeve embracing the rod and having a collar between itsends, a casing surrounding said sleeve having its front end to contactwith the collar thereof and to form a' stop for the rear end of thepower spring, and a buffer inclosed by said casing and'having itsforward end adapted to contact with said collar, the forward end of thesleeve adapted .to engage the shoulder of said rod to thereby limittheforward movement of the sleeve and the compression of the powerspring, and, means automatically coupling t-he' breech-bolt with themotor coordinately with the exhaust of the gases.

4. In an automatic gun, the combination with a receiver and areciprocating breechbolt, said receiver and bolt having co-acting camsurfaces to permit the turning of the rear end of said casing, said rearend having a greater diameter than the forward end. a rod passingthrough the casing, the front end of said rod containing a tubularextension provided wit-h a collar, and the intermediate portion of therod being turned down to form a shoulder, a sleeve slidably mounted onthe rod having a collar between its ends, a casing embracing the rearportion of the sleeve having a flanged front end forming a stop for thecollar, a power spring confined between the front end of the casing andthe collar at the front end of the rod, a buffer within the casingbetween the collar of the sleeve and said plug, the front end of saidsleeve adapted to contact with the-collar on the intermediate portion ofsaid rod and thereby limit the compression of the spring and butter.

' 7 In an automatic gun, the combination with a slidable casing havingan enlarged bore at its rear portion, a screw-plug fitting the rear endof said bore, a sleeve secured to the casing and arranged diagonallythereto, a spring motor within the casing comprising two alined springsof unequal power one of said springs serving as a buffer, a sleevesurrounding the rod having a collar at its central portion, said rodhaving a shoulder forming a stop for the front end of the sleeve, acasing inclosing the rear portion of the sleeve havingza flanged frontend engaging said collar, a spring-actuated,operating rodarrangedparallel with the casing, a spring-pressed latch carried by the diagonalsleeve having a shoulder behind which the ing, agas tube connected withthe forward end of the casing, a breech-bolt mechanism maintaineduncoupled from the gas opera-ted leaves the muzzle of.

means until the bullet the gun, a spring-motor normally coupled to tostore power for subsequent reciprocation and rotation of thebreech-bolt, valve controlled means connecting the gas tube with theinterior of the gun barrel and controlling the amount of gas admitted tosaid tube, and means adapted to vconnect the breechbolt with the motorfor retracting said breech-bolt coordinately with the exhaust of the gasand the release of the power of said motor. i

In an automatic gun, the combination -,the barrel thereof, a screw plugfitted in the front end of the operating rod catches when said rod ismoved past said shoulder, whereby the rod and slidable sleeve arecoupled together, and a fixed cam arranged in the path of movement ofthe latch and adapted to tri the latter to release the oieratin rod P 1the la-eeeh-bolt mounted therein, a magasubstantially as described.

u an automatic gun, the combination ha vin a s u'in )ressed floor 1elevate the lever-flange with a receiver, of a breech-bolt adapted toreciprocate therein, said bolt and receiver having co-acting surfacesoperating to permit the bolt to turn, and said bolt having aspirally-arrangtal groove near its rear end with a square-faced shoulderat the base of said groove, a slide-mechanism operated for ardly by thegases of the exploded charge, a compression motor connected to theslidemechanism and adapted to store the energy of said gases forsubsequent use in reciprocating and turning the breeclrbolt, anoperating rod and an attachment for fixing it to the reech-bolt, abolt-operating lever, and

a trapezoidal plate carried by the slide mechanism having a pinoperating in the groove of the breech-bolt and adapted to engage thesquare-faced shoulder thereof, said plate having a cam-end to operateunder the lever to impart rotation to the breech-bolt.

tl. in a gun of the character described, the breech-bolt having aspirally arranged groove with a square face shoulder at the lower endthereof, in, combination with a gas-operated slide mechanism having amember with :1 lug operating in said groove and adapted to seat againstsaid shoulder and a hand lever connected to the bolt, said member havinga cam-portion to opera to under the lever and initially elevate the samesulticiently to unlock the breech-bolt from the receiver.

10. In a gun of the character described, the COll'llJlllilllOl] with thereceiver, the magazine, the breechbolt, means for axially turir ing thebolt and means 'for reciprocating said bolt, of a stop for holding thebolt open at the end 0t its rearward movement, said stop com 'irising across-Wise extending pivoted member located just in rear ol theii'iagazine and operated by the magazine floor to project into thehorizontal plane of th? bolt and to engage the front end of said be t.

11. In a gun of the character described, the combination of the stock,the receiver,

l l l l l l l l provided with a lug to operate under the lever andthereby above the horizontal plane of the lower side of the breech-bolt.

12. In a gun ol the character described, the combination of the stock,the receiver, zine, means for turning the bolt in the 1'ecciver, meansfor reciprocating said bolt, and means for holding the breech-bolt in anopen retracted position, said means including a lever pivoted at anupper angle so as to move cross-wise of the end of the receiver, saidlever having a flange at its upper end adapted to be projected into therange of action of the breech-bolt to engage the front end of the bolt,said magazine having a spring-pressed floor provided Willi a lag toopcrale under the lever and thereby elevate the lever-flange above the,horizontal plane of the lower side of the bl'OQUll-bOlt, and aspring-pressed pin arranged cross- \vise of the stock and projectingfrom the outer side thereof and having its inner end to operativelyengage the free end of the bolt-stop lever.

13. In a gun of the character described, the combination of thereceiver, a reciprocating. breech-bolt, means for operating the bolt, :1magazine having a spring-pressed lloor. said magazine having a verticalgroove in its rear wall, and a breech-bolt stop ineluding a pivotedlever arranged crosswise.

of the rear end of the magazine having a flanged upper end, saidmagazine floor having a lug guided in said groove and adapted to operateunder said lever: to elevate its flanged end into the range of action ofthe front end of the lu-e( -eli-liolt, and a pushpin mounted. in the gunstock and exposed on the outside thereof, for withdrawing the bolt stopout of the range of action of the lireeclibolt.

l-l. In a gun of the character described, the combination of thereceiver, the breechbolt, means for reciprocating the bolt, an o cratinglever fixed to the breech-bolt, for turning the latter, a spring-pressedcaniwing placed under compression by the lever, said bolt; having as1iirally-arranged groove with a squaredace shoulder at the lower endtl'iereof. a reciprocating member having :1 lug engaging the groove ofthe brcech-br'ilt and adapted to engage behind' said squaret'accshoulder, said cam-wing exerting its stored energy upon the bolt leverto impart an initial closing movement to the bolt and to withdraw saidlug from engagcn'ient with the square-face shoulder at the lower end ofthe spiral groove.

15. In a gun of the character described, the combination of thereceiver, the breechbolt, means for. reciprocating the bolt, an

0 ieratin lever fixed to the breech-bolt for vor, sald'bolthzwing aspirally arranged groove with a square-face shoulder lower end thereof,a havlng a lug engaging the groove breech-bolt and adapted to at thereciprocating member of the behind engage said square-face shoulder,said cam-wing ex erting its stored energy upon the bolt to Withdraw said111g from. engagement with the square-face should the spiral groove, sai

er at the lower end of d cam-wing teing of substantially lever formpivotally mounted on the side of the'reeeiver, and a springpressedthimble or sleeve mounted 1n the gain-stock and against which the freelower 15- end of the lever contacts.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature in presenee'o two witnesses.GRANT HAMMOND. Witnesses: I

T. WALTER FO L R, C. W. FOWLER

